If you have been putting off clearing out the garage, or you have simply been waiting for an excuse to spend a full day surrounded by boards, brands and good music, then The Wave Surfboard Expo is shaping up to be exactly the event you have been looking for. Taking place on Sunday 23 August 2026 at The Wave in Easter Compton, Bristol, this year's Expo brings surfers of every level together for a day that blends demo sessions, community trading, live music and camping, all set against the backdrop of one of the UK's most loved inland surf destinations.
What Is The Wave Surfboard Expo?
Whether you are hunting for your next board, curious to try something new on the water, or simply after a relaxed day out with friends, the event has been designed so that no two visitors need to have the same day. You can demo the latest boards on the market during a live surf session, swap stories with well-known names from the surf world, or spend an afternoon rifling through a community market packed with boards to buy, sell and swap, and then round it all off with live music, food and, if you fancy staying over, camping.
We’ll have an in-water photographer on site in the following sessions:
- 3pm Intermediate surf session
- 4pm Improver surf session
- 6pm Advanced surf session
- 8pm Expert turns surf session
Anyone surfing those sessions at the Expo will have access to photos for free.
Demo Days and SURF brands
Among the highlights of this year's Expo are the brand demo sessions, where attendees can try some of the newest performance surfboards on the market for free during their surf session at The Wave. Confirmed brands so far include LibTech, and Torq, so whether you are chasing a lighter, faster board or want to feel the difference between models before committing to a purchase.
Alongside the big-name brands, the Expo also puts a spotlight on independent UK shapers. Confirmed shapers include Hand Laid Eggs, Ellie Miller of Miller Surfboards, and Colab Surf, each bringing their own take on craftsmanship and design, and each happy to talk through the thinking behind their boards if you catch them at their stall.
The Vintage and Community Board Market
Running alongside the brand activity is the community swap, sell and buy market, along with a dedicated vintage surfboard expo, and together these form the beating heart of the day for a lot of returning visitors. Whether you have a board taking up space that deserves a second life with someone else, or you are on the hunt for a piece of surf history to add to your own collection, this is where you will find it. Sales on the day are handled directly between buyer and seller, so it is worth bringing your own means of payment if you plan to buy, and worth remembering the same if you are hoping to sell.
Live Music, Food and Camping
LIFESTYLE BRANDS
Browse Rip Curl, Finisterre, Yeti, Stance, The Wave merchandise, and other popular surf brands in our Shop, or wander outside to our pop-up stalls for Dawn Patrol coffee, Own the Adventure ethical and sustainable swimwear, Wavelength Longboarder Mag and many others.
food
Milo's Pizza will be firing up the outdoor pizza oven, with food also served from The Clubhouse throughout the day.
music
Once the boards have been demoed, browsed and haggled over, the day shifts gears without losing any of its energy, since live music from DJ Vibe Arkive kicks off from 1 pm.
camping
For anyone who wants to turn the day into a full weekend, overnight camping is available in The Field, where you can pitch your own tent or campervan, or you can treat yourself to one of the pre-pitched bell tents or if you want a bit more luxury we have The Camp safari-style glamping tents.
How to Get Involved
If you are looking to sell or swap a board, sign up here, and stall spaces for exhibiting shapers and brands are free. More details on the full day's schedule, site layout and confirmed brands are set to follow closer to the date, so keep an eye on The Wave's social channels for updates in the run up to 23 August.
If you'd like to book an Expo surf session click here
